Get Information for Best Homestay in Negeri Sembilan -Kg Pelegong, Kampung Pachitan, Kampung Lonek and Homestay Kampung Batang Nyamor. Port Dickson as tourism sport. Click here from various resources
Well, it’d be quite an experience, but, er, is there a water heater in there?” I politely asked my hostess, a retiree by the name of Badziah Dahil. Her bemused expression revealed what I’d already suspected. Forget about hot water. By then, a dozen absurd thoughts had crept into my mind.
What if a monkey jumped on me while I was showering and I’m forced to run out of the toilet butt naked? Or worse, what if the legend about the orang minyak (oily man) is true? Either way, I wasn’t going to take any chances. New experiences could wait.
There I was, an outright city boy deep in the countryside surrounded by crowing roosters, living the languorous life where 3G mobile signals are non-existent, and congestion on the road is more likely to be caused by cows than cars.
That awkward scenario from the second day of my homestay trip encapsulates perfectly my novel brush with kampung life as part of the Jom Jelajah Koperasi Negeri Sembilan 2013 (Let’s Explore Co-operative) programme. In conjunction with Visit Malaysia Year 2014, the Malaysia Co-Operative Societies Commission has invited members from both local and foreign media to stay at various homestays across the land of the Minangkabaus. For four days and three nights, I traded urban life for a much simpler kampung lifestyle.
Our hinterland getaway began at Homestay Kampung Pachitan where we were honoured with a traditional Malay kompang performance upon our arrival.
Located in the Port Dickson district, the village was originally formed in the early 1920s by settlers from East Java, Indonesia.
Today, it is the only homestay village in the country that still upholds traditional Javanese culture and heritage.
After observing some cooking demonstrations of local delicacies such as coconut jelly, rempeyek (deep-fried Javanese cracker made from peanuts, coated with crispy flour batter) and kuih kelepong, we made our way to Homestay Kampung Pelegong in Seremban where we were introduced to our first foster family.
I was to put up for the night at the home of Haji Abu Hassan Arjak, a 73-year-old man who operates a stall at the local weekly farmers market.
For the uninitiated, a homestay vacation is a form of tourism whereby visitors stay over in the home of a local family while immersing themselves in the culture of the community.
Noor Afendi Abdul, who runs a homestay with his wife Maizatul Ahmam at the previous village I visited, described it best: “We may not have the best homes or the nicest rooms in town but what we can offer to our guests is warm hospitality,” explained the 46-year-old geologist who helps his wife to operate the homestay programme when he’s not tied up with work obligations.
However, my Homestay Kampung Pelegong foster dad’s single-storey five-bedroom bungalow with its sprawling fruit orchard is anything but humble.
Later that night, our group was treated to a cultural performance that included a “wedding ceremony” that observed Adat Perpatih (matrilineal system), a unique custom practised by the Malays in Negeri Sembilan. The customary law is unique in that it gives preference to the womenfolk, particularly when it comes to inheritance and right of properties.
Little did I know that I was to be part of the evening’s entertainment!
“Here’s a fan. Just sit beside the groom and fan him. And if you feel it’s stuffy after a while, just forget about the groom and fan yourself,” the mistress of ceremonies instructed as she handed me a spade-shaped fan.
Before I could protest, I found myself decked in a bright orange-and-brown silk pengapit lelaki (best man) outfit and was ushered as part of the newlyweds procession.
If it’s genuine traditional Malay culture that you’re looking for, perhaps there’s no better way to experience it than at a Malaysian homestay.
During the course of my trip, I spoke more Malay than I’ve ever done since leaving high school and put my palate to the test with Negeri Sembilan’s signature masak lemak cili padi dishes.
Such a hands-on experience would indeed prove interesting for foreign tourists who would like an authentic introduction to rural Malay traditions, culture and lifestyle. In this case, a twenty-something guy who’s never stepped within the vicinity of a kampung.
As a matter of fact, the villages we visited were to host 300 Japanese students who would be visiting as part of their extra-curricular activities right after our departure.
Marco Moraglia, who hails from Italy, appreciated the experience of mingling with the locals. He expressed his love for the colourful culture he observed during his stay at various homestay villages.
“I used to live in Japan for a number of years and over there, people try so hard to achieve uniformity. It’s great to see Malaysia embracing diversity,” he said.
Meanwhile, another international participant, Vittorio Lloyd Salac from the Philippines, said he had no problem adapting to local food.
Malaysia Co-Operative Societies Commission of Negeri Sembilan state director Haji Zakaria Mat Jusoh said that the response towards the homestay programme has been encouraging.
“From the period of January to August this year, the five homestays in Negeri Sembilan which are registered under the Co-Operative received over 2.6 million visitors. Out of this number, over 600,000 are international tourists,” revealed Haji Zakaria.
The healthy statistics could partly be attributed to the well-planned itinerary that’s offered in the programme. For instance, a three-day stay at Homestay Kampung Pelegong includes activities such as handicraft-making, playing local folk games, fishing, rubber-tapping and fruit-picking at the many orchards.
There have also been occasions when foreign tourists stayed for over a month and completely assimilated themselves into the daily grind of the villagers.
Obviously, those who are used to living in a city will need a little nudge to adapt to life in a village.
But by the time our group arrived at Homestay Kampung Lonek in Jempol (one of the best homestay in Negeri Sembilan Malaysia), the fourth and final village for this trip, the golden hue of the paddy field against the bright evening sun provided a welcome change from the grey hues of the concrete jungle.
Sure, a hotel with room service and breakfast buffet would have made for a much more comfortable stay. But the warmth of the families that welcomed me into their homes and gave me an intimate glimpse into their lives more than made up for the lack of amenities.
“Maybe the houses are not fully equipped, but you do get a genuine taste of culture, heritage and a sense of community,” said Badariah Ahmad, chairperson of Homestay Kampung Lonek, while we were having a picnic breakfast on a river bank on the last day of my trip.
The opposite of the Malay phrase “Tak kenal maka tak cinta” (which literally means, I can’t love what I don’t know) best describes my homestay experience.
They might not have been five-star resorts and spas, but if you go with a receptive mind, chances are, you will fall in love with the charm of kampung life.
Below are the address for 4 homestay in Negeri Sembilan where you can call and experience the village life.
Homestay Kampung Pachitan
Lot 2006, Kampung Sawah
71960, Chuah Port Dickson
Negeri Sembilan
Tel: 012-6075597
E-mail: nadzri_pachitan@yahoo.com
Homestay Kampung Pelegong
Kg Pelegong, Bt 8, Jalan 8
71900, Seremban
Negeri Sembilan
Tel: 013-3954189
E-mail: imahakob@tm.net.my
Homestay Kampung Batang Nyamor
Kampung Batang Nyamor
71350, Kota
Negeri Sembilan
Tel: 06-4381811
E-mail:zahriahms@yahoo.com
Homestay Kampung Lonek
Kampung Lonek
72200, Batu Kikir
Negeri Sembilan
Tel:019-2871410
Email: homestay_lonek@yahoo.com.my
SEREMBAN: Popular beach resort Port Dickson has long been highlighted as the state’s tourism spot and it’s time for the state government to focus on other districts such as Seremban, Jelebu and Kuala Pilah.
Menteri Besar Aminuddin Harun said many interesting spots, especially ecotourism and historic areas in the districts, have yet to be properly publicised.
“We admit that 60 to 70 per cent of tourism activity is focused in Port Dickson (PD), so much so that many people think Negri Sembilan has only PD to offer, but many other places here are equally as interesting.
“Among the spots that we will focus on is the Ulu Bendul Recreational Forest and its surrounding areas including Mount Angsi in Kuala Pilah which has the potential to attract visitors from outside Negri Sembilan including from abroad.
“The Kenaboi River and the Jemaloi Valley Wildlife Park in Jelebu also have great potential to become a popular ecotourism attraction in Negeri Sembilan due to its location which is close to the Klang Valley.
“Seremban too has its own attractions including the old and historical temples which have been receiving foreign tourists over the years,” he said after chairing the Exco meeting at Wisma Negeri, here, today.
Aminuddin, who also holds the state’s tourism portfolio, said in line with the upcoming reformation, a new blueprint of state tourism will be ready soon to empower the tourism sector in Negri Sembilan.
In another development, Aminuddin said the list of the new Village Security and Development Committee (JKKK) chairmen was expected to be announced next week.
He said the state government was in the final stage of selecting 343 JKKK chairmen from over 800 applications and nominations sent by various parties including from political parties and local leaders at the village level.
Also, Aminuddin said Seremban’s declaration as a city was expected to be scheduled by January next year and a mayor would be appointed to head the Seremban City Council administration.
*source: nst.com.my
Tel: 013-3954189
Tel: 012-6075597
Tel: 06-4381811
Tel:019-2871410
Taman Desa Anggerik, 71900 Labu, Negeri Sembilan
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